Oakland Interim Mayor Jenkins Fires Most Staff Ahead of Special Election

Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins has dismissed several key staff members ahead of the special mayoral election on April 15. This includes the firing of Chief of Staff Leigh Hanson and Community Resilience Director Brandon Harami, both of whom were associated with former Mayor Sheng Thao. Jenkins stated that the terminations are part of a transition plan for the incoming mayor to select their own team. Hanson was dismissed following controversy surrounding notes she took that referred to Black people as 'tokens,' which she claims were taken out of context. The NAACP Oakland chapter has criticized both Hanson and Harami for allegedly attempting to manipulate Black community leaders. Harami contends his termination is retaliatory following a settlement involving an NAACP officer.